Saints at Lions Predictions, Odds and Betting Picks
The Detroit Lions are 6.5-point favorites over the New Orleans Saints in the Week 1 betting market, with some books listing Detroit at -7. The Lions also carry a moneyline between -300 and -334, making them the clear favorite in the opening-week NFL Picks market.
Detroit enters the matchup with the stronger offensive profile and home-field advantage at Ford Field. The Saints also begin the season without Alvin Kamara and Jordyn Tyson, two offensive pieces whose absences make the matchup tougher for quarterback Tyler Shough.
Saints vs Lions Game Preview
Detroit finished 2025 with a 9-8 record, while New Orleans went 6-11. The Lions averaged 28.3 points and 373.2 yards per game last season, compared with 18.0 points and 313.6 yards for the Saints. Jared Goff returns under center for Detroit, while Shough is expected to make his regular-season starting debut for New Orleans. Those numbers form the base for many NFL predictions entering Week 1.
New Orleans enters the game without Kamara after his MCL injury, while Tyson is also out with a hamstring injury. Chris Olave remains the Saints' main receiving threat after catching 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. Detroit also has an injury question surrounding tight end Sam LaPorta, while defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a 14.5-sack season. Ford Field's closed roof removes wind, rain and temperature concerns from the matchup.
Saints vs Lions Moneyline Pick
Take the Detroit Lions moneyline at -300 to -334. Detroit's 74.3% projected win probability reflects the gap between the teams, while the Lions averaged 28.3 points per game last season. New Orleans averaged only 18.0 points, giving Detroit a clear scoring advantage entering the opener.
The moneyline is expensive, so bettors should treat it as a safer way to back Detroit without taking the full spread. Goff also enters with an established offensive system, while Shough is making his first regular-season start against a Lions defense led by Hutchinson. For bettors comparing prices, reviewing the best NFL betting sites can help find the strongest available number.
Pick: Detroit Lions ML (-300 to -334 at FanDuel).
Against the Spread Pick
Take Detroit Lions -6.5 at -110. The half-point below the key number of 7 matters because a seven-point Detroit win would still cash a -6.5 ticket. The Lions averaged 28.3 points per game in 2025, giving them a strong path to creating the margin needed for an ATS win.
The spread also gets support from the turnover numbers. Detroit finished 2025 with a +4 turnover margin, while New Orleans finished at -4, an eight-turnover difference between the teams. That gap matters for margin betting because short fields and extra possessions can turn a one-score game into a two-score result.
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Pick: Detroit Lions -6.5 (-110 at FanDuel).
Saints vs Lions Game Total Pick
Take the Over 49.5 at -115. Detroit averaged 28.3 points per game last season, while New Orleans averaged 24.8 points over its final five games. A combined score of 50 points therefore sits within reach if the Saints maintain their late-season offensive production and Detroit reaches its normal scoring range.
The Lions also averaged 373.2 yards per game, including 253.1 passing yards, giving Goff plenty of ways to drive the total. Ford Field is a fixed dome, so weather will not slow either offense with wind, rain or cold temperatures. That indoor setting supports an Over bet and fits the broader Trends in NFL team performance that favor productive indoor offenses.
Pick: Over 49.5 (-115 at FanDuel).
How to Watch Saints vs Lions and Game Info
- Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
- Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
- New Orleans Saints starting quarterback: Tyler Shough.
- Detroit Lions starting quarterback: Jared Goff.
- Weather forecast: Indoors, no weather factor.
Final Takeaways
Detroit has the stronger profile across the key numbers, with a 28.3-point scoring average and a +4 turnover margin compared with New Orleans' 18.0 points and -4 turnover margin in 2025. The Saints also enter without Kamara and Tyson, while Ford Field removes weather from the equation. The NFL Picks are Detroit Lions moneyline, Detroit Lions -6.5, and Over 49.5, while these NFL predictions are supported by the key Trends in NFL team performance entering Week 1.
All odds as of 5:17 p.m. ET on September 9, 2026. Odds sourced from FanDuel. Check the latest odds and line movement for New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions at betting.net before placing your bets.